Introduction: Symposium on Paul Gowder, the rule of law in the real world

This is a short introduction to a book symposium on Paul Gowder's recent book, _The Rule of Law in thee Real World_ (Cambridge University Press, 2016). The book symposium will appear in the St. Luis University Law Journal, 62 St. Louis U. L.J., -- (2018), with commentaries on Gowder's book by colleen Murphy, Robin West, Chad Flanders, and Matthew Lister, along with replies by Paul Gowder

MOJAVE: Monitoring of Jets in AGN with VLBA Experiments. VII. Blazar Jet Acceleration

We discuss acceleration measurements for a large sample of extragalactic radio jets from the MOJAVE program which studies the parsec-scale jet structure and kinematics of a complete, flux-density-limited sample of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). Accelerations are measured from the apparent motion of individual jet features or "components" which may represent patterns in the jet flow. We find that significant accelerations are common both parallel and perpendicular to the observed component velocities. Parallel accelerations, representing changes in apparent speed, are generally larger than perpendicular acceleration that represent changes in apparent direction. The trend for larger parallel accelerations indicates that a significant fraction of these changes in apparent speed are due to changes in intrinsic speed of the component rather than changes in direction to the line of sight. We find an overall tendency for components with increasing apparent speed to be closer to the base of their jets than components with decreasing apparent speed. This suggests a link between the observed pattern motions and the underlying flow which, in some cases, may increase in speed close to the base and decrease in speed further out; however, common hydro-dynamical processes for propagating shocks may also play a role. About half of the components show "non-radial" motion, or a misalignment between the component's structural position angle and its velocity direction, and these misalignments generally better align the component motion with the downstream emission. Perpendicular accelerations are closely linked with non-radial motion. When observed together, perpendicular accelerations are usually in the correct direction to have caused the observed misalignment.Comment: 17 pages, 11 figures, 1 table, accepted by the Astrophysical Journa

γ-Ray and Parsec-scale Jet Properties of a Complete Sample of Blazars From the Mojave Program

We investigate the Fermi Large Area Telescope γ-ray and 15 GHz Very Long Baseline Array radio properties of a joint γ-ray and radio-selected sample of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) obtained during the first 11 months of the Fermi mission (2008 August 4-2009 July 5). Our sample contains the brightest 173 AGNs in these bands above declination –30° during this period, and thus probes the full range of γ-ray loudness (γ-ray to radio band luminosity ratio) in the bright blazar population. The latter quantity spans at least 4 orders of magnitude, reflecting a wide range of spectral energy distribution (SED) parameters in the bright blazar population. The BL Lac objects, however, display a linear correlation of increasing γ-ray loudness with synchrotron SED peak frequency, suggesting a universal SED shape for objects of this class. The synchrotron self-Compton model is favored for the γ-ray emission in these BL Lac objects over external seed photon models, since the latter predict a dependence of Compton dominance on Doppler factor that would destroy any observed synchrotron SED-peak-γ-ray-loudness correlation. The high-synchrotron peaked (HSP) BL Lac objects are distinguished by lower than average radio core brightness temperatures, and none display large radio modulation indices or high linear core polarization levels. No equivalent trends are seen for the flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) in our sample. Given the association of such properties with relativistic beaming, we suggest that the HSP BL Lac objects have generally lower Doppler factors than the lower-synchrotron peaked BL Lac objects or FSRQs in our sample

MOJAVE: Monitoring of Jets in Active Galactic Nuclei with VLBA Experiments. VI. Kinematics Analysis of a Complete Sample of Blazar Jets

We discuss the jet kinematics of a complete flux-density-limited sample of 135 radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN) resulting from a 13 year program to investigate the structure and evolution of parsec-scale jet phenomena. Our analysis is based on new 2 cm Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) images obtained between 2002 and 2007, but includes our previously published observations made at the same wavelength, and is supplemented by VLBA archive data. In all, we have used 2424 images spanning the years 1994-2007 to study and determine the motions of 526 separate jet features in 127 jets. The data quality and temporal coverage (a median of 15 epochs per source) of this complete AGN jet sample represents a significant advance over previous kinematics surveys. In all but five AGNs, the jets appear one-sided, most likely the result of differential Doppler boosting. In general the observed motions are directed along the jet ridge line, outward from the optically thick core feature. We directly observe changes in speed and/or direction in one third of the well-sampled jet components in our survey. While there is some spread in the apparent speeds of separate features within an individual jet, the dispersion is about three times smaller than the overall dispersion of speeds among all jets. This supports the idea that there is a characteristic flow that describes each jet, which we have characterized by the fastest observed component speed. The observed maximum speed distribution is peaked at ~10c, with a tail that extends out to ~50c. This requires a distribution of intrinsic Lorentz factors in the parent population that range up to ~50. We also note the presence of some rare low-pattern speeds or even stationary features in otherwise rapidly flowing jets... (abridged)Comment: 19 pages, 10 figures, 2 tables, accepted by the Astronomical Journal; online only material is available from http://www.cv.nrao.edu/2cmVLBA/pub/MOJAVE_VI_suppl.zi

Improved thermally conducting electron transfer polymers

Development of polymers with improved heat transfer coefficients for use in encapsulating electronic modules is discussed. Chemical reactions for synthesizing the polymers are described and thermodynamic and physical properties are analyzed

Thermally conducting electron transfer polymers

New polymeric material exhibits excellent physical shock protection, high electrical resistance, and thermal conductivity. It is especially useful for electronic circuitry, such as subminiaturization of components and modular construction of circuits

Version 4 of the CRU TS monthly high-resolution gridded multivariate climate dataset

CRU TS (Climatic Research Unit gridded Time Series) is a widely used climate dataset on a 0.5 degrees latitude by 0.5 degrees longitude grid over all land domains of the world except Antarctica. It is derived by the interpolation of monthly climate anomalies from extensive networks of weather station observations. Here we describe the construction of a major new version, CRU TS v4. It is updated to span 1901-2018 by the inclusion of additional station observations, and it will be updated annually. The interpolation process has been changed to use angular-distance weighting (ADW), and the production of secondary variables has been revised to better suit this approach. This implementation of ADW provides improved traceability between each gridded value and the input observations, and allows more informative diagnostics that dataset users can utilise to assess how dataset quality might vary geographically

Chandra Discovery of 10 New X-Ray Jets Associated With FR II Radio Core-Selected AGNs in the MOJAVE Sample

The Chandra X-ray observatory has proven to be a vital tool for studying high-energy emission processes in jets associated with Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN).We have compiled a sample of 27 AGN selected from the radio flux-limited MOJAVE (Monitoring of Jets in AGN with VLBA Experiments) sample of highly relativistically beamed jets to look for correlations between X-ray and radio emission on kiloparsec scales. The sample consists of all MOJAVE quasars which have over 100 mJy of extended radio emission at 1.4 GHz and a radio structure of at least 3" in size. Previous Chandra observations have revealed X-ray jets in 11 of 14 members of the sample, and we have carried out new observations of the remaining 13 sources. Of the latter, 10 have Xray jets, bringing the overall detection rate to ~ 78%. Our selection criteria, which is based on highly compact, relativistically beamed jet emission and large extended radio flux, thus provides an effective method of discovering new X-ray jets associated with AGN. The detected X-ray jet morphologies are generally well correlated with the radio emission, except for those displaying sharp bends in the radio band. The X-ray emission mechanism for these powerful FR II (Fanaroff-Riley type II) jets can be interpreted as inverse Compton scattering off of cosmic microwave background (IC/CMB) photons by the electrons in the relativistic jets. We derive viewing angles for the jets, assuming a non-bending, non-decelerating model, by using superluminal parsec scale speeds along with parameters derived from the inverse Compton X-ray model. We use these angles to calculate best fit Doppler and bulk Lorentz factors for the jets, as well as their possible ranges, which leads to extreme values for the bulk Lorentz factor in some cases. When both the non-bending and non-decelerating assumptions are relaxed [abridged]Comment: 38 Pages, 4 Figures, 5 Tables, accepted for publication in Ap

Open Myelomeningocele: a five year review of 200 consecutive closures

Paediatric surgery has been defined as the surgical care of the newborn, the infant and the child. The specialty has grown in the United Kingdom as in other parts of Europe and the world in a fairly close relationship to improving social standards and medical care. Although in Edinburgh and Glasgow paediatric surgeons were established as specialists from the early 1920s, it was not until 1950 in England and Wales that the number of paediatric surgeons exceeded 4, and in 1971 there are a total of 34 surgeons in the United Kingdom confining their practice to paediatric surgery. Whilst few paediatric surgeons would claim that the care of a child with a condition such as appendicitis demands skill and expertise beyond that available to a general surgeon, paediatric surgeons, and indeed most general surgeons, would agree that surgery in the newborn child and in the infant suffering from the less common types of congenital abnormalities demands not only special surgical experience but more importantly a team of medical, nursing and technical specialists with sophisticated experience and equipment only available in a special unit.At the turn of the century of every 1000 liveborn babies 140 died within the first year of life; the main causes of this infant mortality rate were prematurity, birth injury, respiratory difficulties and infections, and congenital abnormalities. The infant mortality rate in 1969 was 18 and this enormous reduction has been achieved by improvements in social conditions affecting the pregnant mother, together with improvements in obstetric care and the tremendously successful care of the newborn child, developed during the past thirty years. As control of the other lethal factors has been achieved the infant mortality from congenital abnormalities, remaining unchanged at 4 per 1000, has assumed the role of major killer, and efforts have been directed at reducing it. For example, in the Children's Hospital in Sheffield in the late 1940s some 30 newborn children were operated on each year, the number operated on now is more than 10 times as many.Not all congenital abnormalities are incompatible with life and whilst the correction of atresias of the alimentary tract or diaphragmatic hernias are dramatic life saving procedures, congenital abnormalities of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems are far more common and at the same time less immediately lethal. The correction of congenital heart disease during the first three months of life has already altered the outlook to this type of abnormality and will continue to do so for many years. Congenital abnormalities of the central nervous system, however, are far less dramatic in the toll they take of the child in his first year of life and yet they are the commonest group seen at birth. The most common lesion is a myelomeningocele with exposed spinal cord and consequent neuropathic changes in the lower limbs, pelvic floor and bladder and bowel sphincters. Until 1957 no satisfactory treatment was available for the control of the hydrocephalus which almost universally was an associated abnormality with the severe lesions; there was little encouragement, therefore, for an attack on the back lesion when it was almost certain that the child would die of progressive hydrocephalus within a year or two. However, the introduction of a valve system of ventriculo-cardiac drainage produced a method for control of progressive hydrocephalus and it soon became clear that an early covering of the exposed spinal cord on the back would preserve such function as already was present in the lower limbs and pelvis, whilst a negative approach leaving the closure to a slow process of granulation and epithelialisation was almost certain to increase the degree of paraly¬ sis because of progressive damage to the exposed nerves. In many centres, therefore, an early vigorous attack on the exposed lesion of the back was introduced and as the interest of the paediatric surgeon in these cases became known to obstetricians and paediatricians the number of cases referred for early treatment increased. In an area such as Sheffield where the paediatric surgical unit drains a population of approximately 3 million it could be expected that 120 cases would be referred each year and this number represents almost the entire incidence of the condition in the region. The estimated incidence of the condition is between 2 and 3 cases per 1000 live births and with a birthrate of 16 per thousand this would produce 40 cases for each million population in each year.It is too early as yet to decide whether the early treatment of the backs in these children will effect the long term survival rates in the condition and certainly it seems likely that some children die as a result of the surgical intervention who might not have died had their backs been left to granulate; at the same time there is no doubt that many children live much longer as a result of the early surgical intervention and nor is there any doubt that having undertaken the primary treatment of the back in a child with myelomeningocele the surgeon and his unit must hold themselves responsible for the continuing treatment of the child, whether such treatment is necessary because of complications of the original surgical interference, or whether it is necessary to control the progress of those parts of the disease which were not corrected at the original surgical interference,, Thus, having closed the back it is necessary that progressive hydrocephalus should be treated as required, that appropriate orthopaedic procedures should be carried out in order to achieve and preserve the child's mobility, and that the upper urinary tract should be protected and preserved from the devastation brought by the combination of urinary obstruction and infection resulting from the neuropathic bladder.Not all this complicated care can be carried out by the same person who originally closed the back and the general care of these children must depend on a team which will include at least a paediatric surgeon, an orthopaedic surgeon and a paediatrician. The particular interests of individuals will of course influence the number of specialists taking an interest in these children,, An indication of the amount of work that the continuing control of these children must bring to a hospital is the fact that the Children's Hospital in Sheffield with an annual intake of 100 to 120 new cases for the past eight years, up to 40 of the total of 200 beds available in the hospital are now occupied by children having treatment for spina bifidao This does not include those children who are being cared for in hospitals nearer their own homes or those in special long term orthopaedic hospitals,,The condition thus places a heavy load on the hospital and its staff,, Clearly medical and surgical care develops and efficiency of treatment improves, the case material in a hospital will change; for instance at one time tuberculosis of bones and joints accounted for a very large number of those children undergoing surgery in a children's hospital and today it is practically unknown in the United Kingdom. Similarly, infections such as osteomyelitis and empyema which at one time formed a large proportion of the work in the children's hospital are now very rare. These conditions have been excluded because they have been cured by advances in medical and surgical treatment. The surgical treatment of congenital abnormalities, however, and particularly the surgical treatment of myelomeningocele often does not cure but only controls the condition, and in fact in these conditions the paediatric surgeon frequently produces a new population which will demand repeated and often prolonged hospital ization. It would seem necessary, therefore, that those who are concerned in the treatment of congenital abnormalities should consider the effects of that treatment. For the physician some consideration must be given to the quality of survival achieved as a result of extensive and continuing courses of treatment. For the administrator and those who contribute to the financing of the health services consideration should presumably be given to the value of the results achieved; the financial resources of the health services are not unlimited so there must be some competition for those resources and consequently one group of patients may suffer because of the concentration of funds on another group. From a purely business outlook of cost and return there would be little difficulty in deciding that the funds of the health services should be concentrated on those patients who will give the most productive return to the country for the money that the country has spent on them.Fortunately for the medical profession our decisions are not governed entirely by financial considerations and the purpose of this thesis is to consider the results achieved in the treatment of myelomeningocele and to discuss those ways in which these results might be improved